Petunia plant named `Revolution Pastelpink No. 3`

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a petunia plant, having a decumbent habit plant having long stems. The petunia plant has abundant branching and great profusion blooms, the whole bush remaining in bloom for a considerable period of time. The flowers are single and large, the petals having a strong purplish pink color with deep red purple lines radiating from a vivid yellow green bottom portion of the throat. The plant has a high resistance to rain, heat, drought, frost and pest, and the leaves and the flower petals have a strong resistance to rain and are not damaged during rainy season.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of petuniaplant obtained from mutant of "Revolution Purplepink" obtained fromcrossing a wild type of petunia plant (♀) native to Brazil and"Recoverer White (♂)".

The petunia is a very popular plant and is used for flower bedding andpotting in the summer season. There are only a few varieties of thepetunia plant which do not have an upright growth habit and which have ahigh resistance to rain, heat, cold, and diseases. The petunia which wepreviously filed, i.e., the "Revolution" series (Revolution Purplepink(U.S. Pat. Plant No. 6,915), Revolution Brilliantpink (U.S. Pat. PlantNo. 6,914), Revolution Brilliantpink-mini (U.S. Pat. No. Plant No.6,899)! is decumbent type plant having long stems, a lower plant height,abundant branching, and a high resistance to heat, cold and rain.However, there are only a few varieties having a great profusion offlowers, pastel color flower petal and a high resistance to rain, heat,cold and diseases. Accordingly, this invention was aimed at obtaining anew variety having a pastel pink (strong purplish pink) color petal,together with the above features.

The new variety of petunia plant according to this invention originatedfrom mutual occurring as a spontaneously generic variant of "RevolutionPurplepink" (U.S. Pat. Plant No. 6,915) which we previously filed. Thenew variety of petunia plant was discovered in view of flower colorduring propagation of "Revolution Purplepink" in May, 1995. Thediscovered petunia plant was propagated by cutting from May, 1995 andthen grown in bed and pot on trial from June, 1995. The botanicalcharacteristics of the plant were examined, using similar variety."Revolution Purplepink", for comparison. As a result, it was concludedthat this petunia is distinguishable from any other variety, whoseexistence is known to us, sufficiently uniform and stable in itscharacteristics, then this new variety of petunia plant was named"Revolution Pastelpink No. 3".

In the following description, the color-coding is in accordance with TheHorticultural Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London,England (R.H.S. Colour Chart), and the Inter-Society colorCouncil-Nation Bureau of Standard Color Name (I.S.C.C.-N.B.S. ColorName). A color chart based on The Japan Color Standard for HorticulturalPlant (J.H.S. Color Chart) is also added for reference.

"Revolution Purplepink", the mutant parent of "Revolution Pastelpink No.3", was obtained from crossing of a new wild type of petunia plantnative to Brazil as the female parent and "Recoverer White" as thepollen parent, in June, 1985 at Yachiyo Farm of Keisei Rose Nurseries,Inc., residing at 755 Owadashinden, Yachiyo-shi, Chiba-ken, Japan.

The female parent use in the breeding of "Revolution Purplepink" was awild type of petunia native to Brazil, the seeds of which were gatheredin Gramado, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil and introduced to Japan inOctober, 1983. This wild type of petunia plant is presently maintainedat the aforementioned the Yachiyo Farm of Keisei Rose Nurseries, Inc.and the Plant Biotechnology Laboratory of SUNTORY Ltd., residing at863-1, Aza-Iketani, Oomori-cho, Youkkaiti-shi, Shiga-ken, Japan. Themain botanical characteristics of this female parent of "RevolutionPurplepink" are as follows.

Plant:

Growth habit.--Decumbent.

Plant height.--20 cm.

Spreading area of plant.--100-150 cm in diameter.

Blooming period.--May to August in the southern Kanto area, Japan.

Stem:

Extending (length from base).--50-80 cm.

Thickness.--Main stem 2.0-3.0 mm; lateral stem 1.5-2.5 mm.

Pubescence.--Many.

Branching.--Over-abundant.

Length of internode.--1.0-2.0 cm before blooming; 1.5-3.0 cm duringblooming.

Color.--Strong yellow green (R.H.S. 144B-144C. JHS 3512-3513).

Leaf:

Shape.--Oval.

Length.--4.5-5.5 cm.

Width.--2.5-3.5 cm.

Color.--Grayish olive green (R.H.S. 137A-137B, JHS 3716-3717).

Phyllotaxis.--Opposite both before and during blooming.

Pubescence.--Few.

Flower:

Facing direction.--Opening obliquely upward.

Type.--Single.

Shape.--Funnel-shape, with five-fissured limb.

Diameter.--4.0-5.0 cm.

Color.--In the unopened stage (bud), dark reddish purple (R.H.S. 79B,JHS 8907-8909); when open, vivid reddish purple (R.H.S. 74A, JHS 9207),at full bloom, vivid reddish purple (R.H.S. 80A, JHS 8906).

Reproductive organs.--1 normal pistil and 5 normal stamens, both normal.

Peduncle.--0.9-1.2 mm in thickness, and 2.0-2.5 cm in length.

Physiological and ecological characteristics: High resistance to cold,relatively high resistance to heat, and moderate resistance to diseaseand pest.

"Recoverer White", used as the male parent in the breeding of variety of"Revolution Purplepink", is one of the Recoverer Series bred by theSakata Seed Corp., Japan. The Recoverer Series includes "RecovererScarletred", "Recoverer Blue", and "Recoverer Pink", and these plantsare commonly characterized by a high resistance to rain. The mainbotanical characteristics of "Recoverer White", are as follows.

Plant:

Growth habit.--Upright.

Plant height.--30-40 cm.

Spreading area of plant.--25-30 cm in diameter.

Blooming period.--April to September in the southern Kanto area, Japan.

Stem:

Thickness.--Main stem 5.0-7.0 mm; lateral stem 2.5-4.5 mm.

Pubescence.--Normal.

Branching.--Abundant.

Length of internode.--2.0-3.0 cm before blooming; 2.0-4.0 cm duringblooming.

Color.--Strong yellow green (R.H.S. 144B-144C, JHS 3512-3513).

Leaf:

Shape.--Oval.

Length(average).--4.5-5.0 cm.

Width(average).--2.5-3.0 cm.

Color.--Strong yellow green to moderate olive green (R.H.S. 144A-146A,JHS 3507-3508).

Phyllotaxis.--Verticillate before blooming; opposite during blooming.

Pubescence.--Few.

Thickness.--0.4-0.6 mm.

Flower:

Facing direction.--Opening obliquely upward.

Type.--Single.

Shape.--Funnel-shape, with five-fissured limb.

Diameter.--8.0-8.5 cm.

Color.--In the unopened stage (bud), pale yellow green (R.H.S. 4D-157A,JHS 3304-3303); both when open and at full bloom, greenish white (R.H.S.155D-155C, JHS 3701).

Reproductive organs.--1 normal pistil having a strong yellow green(144B-144C, JHS 3512) stigma, and 5 normal stamens each having a paleyellow (R.H.S. 161D, JHS 2503) anther and a greenish white (R.H.S. 157D,JHS 3501) filament.

Peduncle.--1.5-2.5 mm in thickness, and 2.5-3.0 cm in length.

Physiological and ecological characteristics.--High resistance to rain,heat, and disease, moderate resistance to pests.

And the botanical characteristics of the petunia plant "RevolutionPurplepink" which is the mutant parent of this new variety "RevolutionPurplepink No. 3" are as follows.

Plant:

Growth habit.--Decumbent. The stems hang down when potted in a hangingpot.

Plant height.--15-20 cm.

Spreading area of plant.--The stem extends to length of 50-80 cm fromthe base, and thus the spreading area of the plant is 100-150 cm indiameter.

Growth.--Very vigorous with abundant branching, a great profusion ofblooms; the whole bush remaining in bloom for a considerable this periodof time.

Blooming period.--Late March to late September in the southern Kantoarea, Japan. The plant shape does not change throughout this period.

Stem:

Thickness.--Main stem 4.0-6.0 mm; lateral stem 2.0-3.0 mm.

Pubescence.--Normal.

Branching.--Over-abundant.

Length of internode.--1.0-1.5 cm before blooming; 3.0-4.0 cm duringblooming.

Color.--Strong to moderate yellow green (R.H.S. 144B-143C, JHS3512-3710).

Leaf:

Shape.--Lancet.

Length(average).--7.5-8.0 cm.

Width(average).--2.5-3.0 cm.

Color.--Moderate yellow green (R.H.S. 146B-137D, JHS 3508-3712).

Phyllotaxis.--Verticillate before blooming; opposite during blooming.

Pubescence.--Normal.

Thickness.--0.5-0.7 mm.

Flower:

Facing direction.--Opening obliquely upward.

Type.--Single.

Shape.--Funnel-shape, with five-fissured limb.

Waving of petal.--Week.

Lobation of petal.--Deep.

Diameter.--8.0-9.0 cm.

Color.--In the unopened stage (bud), deep to moderate purple (R.H.S.86A-83A, JHS 8307-8306); when open, vivid reddish purple (R.H.S. 74A,JHS 9207), at full bloom, vivid reddish purple (R.H.S. 71D-74B, JHS9206-9207), with strong reddish purple (R.H.S. 72B, JHS 9208) linesradiating from a small brilliant purple (R.H.S. 82C, JHS 8611) areaclosely proximate to a pale to light yellow green (R.H.S. 4D-151C, JHS3310-3313) center portion. The small area completely surrounds thecenter portion. The reverse side of the petal is a light purple color(R.H.S. 75B, JHS 8903). The petal has a somewhat metallic luster.

Reproductive organs.--1 normal pistil having a grayish yellow green(R.H.S. 138A, JHS 3715) stigma, and 5 normal stamens each having amoderate blue (R.H.S. 98B-98C, JHS 8305) anther and a purple yellowgreen (R.H.S. 145D, JHS 3502) filament.

Peduncle.--2.0 mm in thickness, and 2.0-2.5 cm in length.

Physiological and ecological characteristics: High resistance to rain,heat, and drought. Also high resistance to disease, particularly graymold (Botrytis). Moderate resistance to pests.

This new and distinct variety of petunia plant. "Revolution PastelpinkNo. 3", was asexually reproduced by cutting at the aforementioned PlantBiotechnology Laboratory of SUNTORY Ltd., and the homogeneity andstability thereof were confirmed.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new variety of petunia plant has a decumbent habit, long stems andstrong purplish pink flower petal, and thus is very different from asimilar variety. "Revolution Purplepink", parent of mutant. The planthas decumbent habit, abunant branching and great profusion blooms, andthe whole bush remains in bloom for a considerable period of time. Theflowers are single and large, and the petals having a strong purplishpink color, which is clearly distinguished from the vivid reddish purpleof "Revolution Purplepink", with deep red purple lines radiating from avivid yellow green bottom portion of throat. The plant has a highresistance to rain, heat, drought, frost and pest, especially to graymold. The leaves, and flower petals have a strong resistance to rain andare not damaged during rainy season.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a photograph giving a partial view of the new variety ofpetunia plant planted in a flower pot.;

FIG. 2 is a photograph showing, in numerical order, a branch having anopen flower(1), a current shoot(2), a bud(3), a side view of theflower(4), a front view of the flower(5), a rear view of the flower(6),an interior view of the flower(7), and pistil and stamen(8), of the newvariety of petunia plant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The botanical characteristics of the new and distinct variety of petuniaplant "Revolution Pastelpink No. 3" are as follows.

Growth habit.--Decumbent. The stems hang down when potted in a hangingpot.

Plant height.--15-20 cm.

Spreading area of plant.--The stem extends to length of 50-70 cm fromthe base, and thus the spreading area of the plant is 100-150 cm indiameter.

Growth.--Very vigorous with abundant branching, a great profusion ofblooms; the whole bush remaining in bloom for a considerable this periodof time.

Blooming period.--Late March to late September in the southern Kantoarea, Japan. The plant shape does not change throughout this period.

Stem:

Thickness.--4.0-6.0 mm.

Pubescence.--Normal.

Branching.--Over-abundant.

Length of internode.--3.0-4.0 cm.

Color.--Deep yellow green to vivid yellow green (R.H.S. 144A, JHS3507-3506).

Leaf:

Shape.--Oval.

Length.--3.0-7.0 cm.

Width.--3.0-6.0 cm.

Color.--dark yellow green to dull green (R.H.S. 146A-145A, JHS3508-3712).

Thickness.--0.5-0.7 mm.

Phyllotaxis.--Verticillate before blooming; opposite during blooming.

Pubescence.--Normal.

Flower:

Facing direction.--Opening obliquely upward.

Type.--Single.

Shape.--Funnel-shape, with five-fissured limb.

Waving of petal.--Week.

Lobation of petal.--Deep.

Diameter.--8.0-8.5 cm.

Color.--Strong purplish pink (R.H.S.61D-68D, JHS 8904) with deep redpurple (R.H.S.77A, JHS 9209) lines radiating from a vivid yellow green(R.H.S. 144B, JHS 3105) bottom portion of throat. The outside of corollatube is pale purplish pink (R.H.S.65D, JHS 8902).

Reproductive organs.--1 normal pistil and 5 normal stamens (2 stamensare higher the pistil).

Physiological and ecological characteristics: High resistance to rain,heat, drought, frost and pest, especially to gray mold. The leaves andflower petals have a strong resistance to rain and are not damagedduring rainy season.

This new variety of petunia plant is most suitable for flower beddingand potting, particularly in hanging pots or planters, and furtherexcellent for ground cover.

The plant of this new variety "Revolution Pastelpink No. 3" is presentlyplanted and maintained at the Plant Biotechnology Laboratory of SUNTORYLtd., residing at 863-1, Aza-Iketani, Oomori-cho, Youkaiti-shi,Shiga-ken, Japan.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of petunia plant, substantiallyas herein illustrated and described, characterized particularly as tonovelty by (A) being a decumbent habit plant having long stems, (B) anabundant branching and great profusion blooms, the whole bush remainingin bloom for a considerable period of time, (C) flowers are single andlarge, the petals having a strong purplish pink color with deep redpurple lines radiating from a vivid yellow green bottom portion ofthroat, (D) a high resistance to rain, heat, drought, frost and pest,(E) leaves and flower petals have a strong resistance to rain and arenot damaged during rainy season.